Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

John Bath letter to Thomas Kent regarding an Ovenbird sighting and birding in general, unknown date	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from John Bath to Thomas Kent about seeing an Ovenbird in Ames from December 10 to January 10, unknown year. Bath also discusses other birds he'd recently seen.	Bath, John	Red-headed Woodpecker Northern Flicker Northern Cardinal Purple Finch House Finch Ovenbird Red-bellied Woodpecker Mourning Dove Downy Woodpecker	Ames				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	37
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Northern Goshawk, 1979-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1979-11-17	1983-12-18	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Northern Goshawk submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1979-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Northern Goshawk	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	37
Lantern slide of a Sharp-tailed Grouse in a field	Lantern slides	Bird watching	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A Sharp-tailed Grouse standing in a field. Slide originally titled "Sharp-tailed Grouse in the Field." The lantern slide is hand-colored.	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	Sharp-tailed Grouse					Walter M. Rosene, Sr. Papers \| MS 589	3	37
Lantern slide and photograph of a Black Tern hovering in the air	Lantern slides Photographs	Bird watching	1924-06-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A Black Tern hovering in the air near Stump Lake, North Dakota, while Walter Rosene and Walter Bennett were photographing her nest, June 17, 1924. Slide originally titled "Flying Black Tern." Rosene provides details on photograph. These items related to Rosene's journal: https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/9319/view	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	Black Tern	Stump Lake				Walter M. Rosene, Sr. Papers \| MS 589	2	37
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Le Conte's Sparrow at Brenton Slough, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Le Conte's Sparrow at Brenton Slough in Polk County, IA on December 21, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Trieff, Richard	Le Conte's Sparrow	Brenton Slough	Brenton Slough - west of Granger Iowa	rolling short grass field adjacent to pothole depression	The documentation form by Richard Trieff forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Sinclair was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper sparrow - The bird I observed did not give the flat head appearance of a Grasshopper sparrow, had more distinctly striped appearance on its crown than a Grasshopper sparrow, and did not display the shy, secretive behavior of a Grasshopper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:30:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	37
Lantern slide and photograph of a Bluebird perching on a stump	Lantern slides Photographs	Bird watching Turdidae \| Thrushes	1925-09-24	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A bluebird perching on a stump next to a blooming flower, September 24, 1925. Slide originally titled "Bluebird." The lantern slide is hand-colored.	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941						Walter M. Rosene, Sr. Papers \| MS 589	1	36
Breeding Evidence Observations, Bob Cecil, 1985	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Breeding Birds--Identification Rare birds	1985-06-20	1985-07-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes about Worm-eating Warbler breeding habits at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA from June 20 to July 16, 1985. This document is related a letter and field notes by Bob Cecil: https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/3902/view.	Cecil, Robert I.	Worm-eating Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	36
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, American Goldfinch, 1981-1982	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Birds--Infancy	1981-09-01	1982-09-29	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the American Goldfinch submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1981-1982. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	American Goldfinch	Marshall County Paullina				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	36
A ten year calendar of three hundred and eighty-one wild birds of Iowa	Checklists Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology--Bibliography	1919-04-25	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A notebook containing a checklist of birds and distributed to the Boy Scouts of Iowa at cost. In this notebook Philip DuMont recorded his bird sightings from 1918 to 1927.	Cole, Gertrude Mansfield Boy Scouts of America		Iowa				Philip A. Dumont Papers \| MS 153	1	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow northwest of Ida Grove, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-22	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow northwest of Ida Grove in Ida County, IA on April 22, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Baird's Sparrow	Ida Grove	Ida County (see map attached)	See attached sheet [...] The first sighting birds flew west across the corn field - see map - [...]	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Don Poggensee was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Savannah Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Le Contes Sparrow Savannah Sparrow - Dirty yellow down top of crown Henslows wrong color, Le Contes dirty yellow initially thought this Sparrow (Yellow was first thing noticed) eliminated after further study for more detail on all see attached sheets. [...] Baird's Sparrow was the last of the sparrows in my decision making. I arrived at this conclusion primarily because of the head color/down the middle of the crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Anderson Prairie State Preserve, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-05-13	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow at Anderson Prairie State Preserve at Emmet County, IA on May 13, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Baird's Sparrow	Anderson Prairie State Preserve	Anderson Prairie State Preserve, Emmet Co., Iowa	General: Open Grassland Specific: Tall-Grass Prairie	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe, Bob Moats, Bob Madson, Mrs. Madson, Ellen Heine, Russ Heine, Pearl Osher, Dave Kuel, and three unidentified others. \| Elimination of similar species: Savannah Sparrow - narrower median stripe, more of pale yellow-white. Heavier streaking on breast and down sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:42:00/08:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eastern Phoebe east of Lost Nation, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-19	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eastern Phoebe east of Lost Nation in Clinton County, IA on December 19, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dietrich, Renee	Eastern Phoebe	Lost Nation	Five miles East of Lost Nation	Woodland	The documentation form by Renee Dietrich is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karen Brix and Gloria Friederichsen. \| Elimination of similar species: Due to the lack of a black cap the chicadee [sic] was eliminated. Size of the bird also eliminated this possibility as well as coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	36
Lantern slide and photograph of a flock of White Pelicans in flight	Lantern slides Photographs	Bird watching	1924-06-24	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A flock of White Pelicans in flight over Chase Lake, North Dakota, June 24, 1924. Slide originally titled "White Pelicans." Rosene provides details on photograph. These items related to Rosene's journal: https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/9319/view	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	American White Pelican	Chase Lake				Walter M. Rosene, Sr. Papers \| MS 589	4	35
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Common Goldeneye, 1954-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1954-05-10	1983-05-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Common Goldeneye submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1954-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Goldeneye	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-14	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on November 14, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in American Birds, excerpts from Western Birds, articles in Pennsylvania birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, eight photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Empidonax Flycatchers	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi State Park, Warren County, IOWA	Woodland edge consisting primarily of honeysuckle and junipers	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Brian Blevins were submitted later. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Peter Petersen, Kelly McKay, Corey Blevins, Jim Scheib, Jim Sinclair, John Daniel, Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, David Youngblut, Beth Brown, Sherry Dragula, Bill Overland, Jane Overland, John Miller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The date of observation is historically good for a vagrant western flycatcher species, so this was in the back of my mind in assessing the characteristics observed. The presence of both eye ring and wing bars, in addition to size and shape, indicate that the bird fits the Empidonax complex. The combination of green back, yellow throat and pure orange lower mandible with no markings would eliminate Least, Hammond's, Dusky, Gray, Buff-breasted, Alder, and Willow Flycatchers. A juvenile Acadian can be eliminated by the short primary extension, color of the wings, size and shape of the eye ring, and active behavior. Only three species are indicated by the green upper parts and yellow under parts. Two are separable only by voice. The choices were between Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Western (Cordilleran and Pacific-slope) Flycatcher. Back color is greener in Yellow-bellied and more olive in Western. Although the back looked olive, this was rather subjective. According to the Audubon Master Guide, behavior would be more indicative of a Yellow-bellied in that the bird was not flicking both tail and wings. According to Kaufman, however, behavior is quite variable. Three characteristics made me lean more toward Western complex. They were peaked appearance to the head (usually smooth and rounded in Yellow-bellied); almond-shaped eye ring (round, narrow, and more even in Yellow-bellied); and browner wings than eastern Empidonax. The color of the wings is again subjective, but the contrast between wing color and wing bars was less than the black/white (or even black/buff in fall birds) of eastern birds. Even with the variability that may occur in any Empidonax, it is unlikely that these three characteristics, which are common to the Western Flycatcher, would appear simultaneously in a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Further support is found in the Audubon Master Guide to Birding where it states in the description of Western Flycatcher, "...olive wash on the breast, flanks, and especially the sides tends to highlight a midventral yellow stripe" - one of the more obvious characteristics when viewed at close range from the front. IF the call notes heard belonged to this bird, it would indicate a Cordilleran Flycatacher, the most likely vagrant. None of us were able, however, to get the bird to call as we were observing it. Cal Knight played a tape and the bird became very agitated but did not call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/14:00:00 on November 14, 1992 and 11:30:00/13:45:00 on November 15, 1992.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-06-06	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton in Greene County, IA on June 6, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail correspondence about the documentation, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Lark Bunting	Scranton	Greene County,1 mile south of Scranton on Highway 25 ,then 3/4 mile east.	Pasture with cows on South side, Row crops on North side	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: I don't know of any other bird of this size that has white wing patches. I couldn't find any other info in any of my bird guides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:00:06.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-16	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 16, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Least Flycatcher	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Primarily open edge and grassy area with pine tree plantings	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tim Schantz was submitted. Other observers include Roy Godwin and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: Body and bill shape and behavior identified this bird as a flycatcher. The size, eye-ring and wing bars eliminated all but Empidonax flycatchers. Because of the late date on this bird, it is difficult to get an understanding of molt sequences which may or may not be helpful. From what I can find on molts, however, the following is based on best available information. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:55:00 and approximately 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting north of Burlington, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-30	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 30, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Charles R.	Lark Bunting	Burlington	North of Burlington off Highway 99	Farm land--freshly plowed field, low hedge rows	The documentation form by Charles Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The Bird sighted on a dirt road feeding with a Vesper Sparrow--within 3 feet for comparison. The most conspicuous field mark were the large creamy white wing patches (Not bars). The bird was slightly larger than the Vesper Sparrow with heavy sparrow bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-04-28	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on April 28, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Babcock, Mary Cook	Lark Bunting	De Soto Lake	De Soto Bend NWR	Bare tree by a pond in flock of mixed swallows	The documentation form by Mary Cock Babcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller + different shape from red winged black bird. No yellow head as yellow headed black bird. Too small for mockingbird or shrike - also different color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Hudsonian Godwit, 1964-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1964-10-18	1983-05-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Hudsonian Godwit submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1964-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Hudsonian Godwit	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	34
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Marbled Godwit, 1960-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1960-04-17	1983-05-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Marbled Godwit submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1960-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Marbled Godwit	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting south of Thurman, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-07-29	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for four Lark Buntings south of Thurman in Fremont County, IA on July 29, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation submitted to the committee.	Walters, Betty	Lark Bunting	Thurman	Fremont County - (near) South of Thruman [sic], Iowa		The documentation by Betty Walters is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barbara Cunningham and Mary Beth Vaughn. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] At first I thought maybe imm. R.H. Woodpeckers - Then I reasoned No - They have black bellies and are solid black with the wing patches and the fact that the other two were Sparrow like in coloring - Made me take another look.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Field report for Black-and-white Warbler at Clear Lake, Carolyn Fischer, 1995	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds	1995-11-04	1995-12-13	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field report for a Black-and-white Warbler at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 4, 1995. The report is accompanied by a letter from Carolyn Fischer to Thomas Kent on December 13, 1995, that mentions a flock of Lapland Longspurs.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Black-and-white Warbler Lapland Longspur	Clear Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	34
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Greater White-fronted Goose, 1970-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1970-11-17	1983-05-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Greater White-fronted Goose submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1970-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Greater White-fronted Goose	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	33
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-throated Sparrow at Waterloo, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-03-17	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-throated Sparrow at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on March 17, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in American Birds, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Black-throated Sparrow	Waterloo	Feeder of Maurice and Ruby Hanson, 1262 Ackermant, Waterloo (Black Hawk County).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter C. Petersen, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, James Scheib, Randy Pinkston, and Ray Cummins were submitted. Other observers include Francis Moore, Ken Lowder, Maurice Hanson, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Dick Tetrault, Rita Goranson, Jan Walters, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Curt Nelson, Marty Pauley, Carolyn Fischer, Beth McBride, Tim Fallon, Pat Hanson, Hank Zaletel, Tim Schantz, Tom Stone, Ruby Hanson, and Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The black bib in combination with the wide white face stripes is distinctive. No other sparrow-like bird has these features. The other desert southwest birds which are similar are Sage and Five-striped Sparrows, both of which have white throats and a dark stickpin on the breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:44:00/07:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	33